News:

Silver unearthed in Lichfield set to grace important book - and sells for thousands

A highly collectable silver cigarette case discovered in Lichfield is destined to be featured in a new book after soaring to success at auction.

The Liberty cigarette case, designed by Archibald Knox, was contested to £2,000 at Hansons Auctioneers’ December Fine Art Auction.

Adrian Rathbone, associate directors at Hansons, said: “It was a lovely Lichfield find. The cigarette case displayed a typical Arts and Crafts, Celtic-inspired design, incorporating enamel. It sold to a UK private buyer.

“I was delighted to see it fly at auction but not surprised. Archibald Knox designs are highly sought after. I hope our silver expert Victoria Sheppard will uncover more gems like this at Hansons’ weekly free valuation events at Lichfield’s Hedgehog Inn.”

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, was thrilled to learn the cigarette case is set to be featured in an important book.

He said: “We were contacted by the editor of the standard work on Archibald Knox who was in the process of preparing a second edition of the publication.

“He said he’d never seen this stunning silver and enamel cigarette case by Knox and asked if he could use our image in a forthcoming book. He was excited the lovely object had appeared before its publication.

“We were delighted to oblige. It signifies the historical importance of many of the objects we are fortunate enough to handle and sell.”

Archibald Knox, who lived from 1864 to 1933 and came from the Isle of Man, was Liberty’s primary designer at the height of their success and influence on UK and International design. Knox’s pioneering work bridged the Arts and Crafts Movement, Celtic Revival, Art Nouveau and Modernism.

Items like this are invited for Hansons' 20th Century Design and Decorative Arts Auction, which takes place on February 22. For free valuations, please email decorative arts expert Andy Green - [email protected] - or visit him in person. He offers regular free valuations at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, the next event being on January 31, 10am-4pm.